"The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, sponsor of the 2007 Massachusetts Unsung Heroines initiative, through nominations strove to identify and honor an extraordinary woman from each of the Commonwealth's 351 cities and towns.

Massachusetts women have always been in the forefront of advancing the status of women. They have come from rural and urban backgrounds, different social classes, and different races. They have worked together. Diversity was the strength of the women who struggled for seventy-two years to be included in the Constitution. They united under a symbol: the yellow rose. The yellow rose stood for unity, friendship and determination. The yellow rose continues to remind us that our own work to improve the status of women in the Commonwealth continues requiring that same diversity, unity and determination.

Thousands of women from every community of the state perform unheralded acts on a daily basis that make our homes, neighborhoods, cities and towns better places to live. They are the Unsung Heroines who use their time, talent spirit and enthusiasm to enrich the lives of others. They are mentors, volunteers and innovators. They are the glue that keeps a community together, they are the spark that gets things started and gets things done...they care about other people and it shows. They don't make the news, they make the difference."

Beverly makes the difference and Winthrop recognizes her extraordinary dedication to her community. She was nominated by Mary Lou Osborne, the executive board member of the Winthrop Catholic Woman's Club. Mary Lou wrote:

"Ms Phipps started the Winthrop Food Pantry over a decade ago. She quietly and humbly serves our neediest neighbors while engaging other community groups such as faith communities and civic organizations to unite for such a good cause. I think that while many town citizens make contributions to the food pantry and may even have done some volunteer work there, we sometimes take for granted that we have Beverly to make sure that all needs are met. I'm sure that anyone from our town who is aware of Beverly's work would agree that she deserves to be recognized as Winthrop's Unsung Heroine, 2007!"

Beverly has been invited to the State House in Boston on May 16, 2007 where she will be honored as this year's Unsung Heroine for Winthrop.

We are proud to have Beverly as a resident of Winthrop. Our thoughts, support and thanks are with you when you are presented that special day your recognition, May 16, 2007, and into the future. Thank you.